Tuesday night’s meeting, the first of the new year, saw most council members present with the exception of Councilmen Chris Seemann and Chuck Banks. Banks called in to attend the meeting remotely.

Special Event Permits 

The Winter Park & Fraser Chamber and Devil’s Thumb Ranch submitted an application for the 7th annual Stagecoach Classic cross-country race on January 25, 2020. The 30K/15K race will begin at Devil’s Thumb Ranch and traverse through the old Idlewild Ski Area to finish at the Rendezvous Event Center where there will be a DJ, beer and lunch for the racers. 300-500 racers are expected to attend.

Winter Park Resort had submitted an application for their upcoming Family Firework Nights set for January 18 at 6 pm, February 15 at 6:30 pm and March 14 at 8 pm. The event will feature a bonfire at the base of the resort and fireworks at dusk.

Council unanimously approved both applications.

2020 Workshop and Meeting dates

Resolution 1742 set the dates and times for Town Council meetings and workshops, which will be held the first and third Tuesday of the month. Workshops will begin at 3 pm and meetings at 5:30 pm. The only exception will be Tuesday, April 7, which is Election Day. Town Clerk Dani Jardee recommended council cancel the meeting, since Town Hall is an official polling place, and set a ceremonial meeting/swearing in of newly elected council members before the meeting on April 21.

Public Posting Place

Resolution 1743 fulfills the annual requirement to set the bulletin board in Town Hall as the official notice posting site. Jardee stated she also posts all notices on the town’s website as well.

Unnamed Right of Way Vacated

Community Development Director James Shockey presented the first reading of Ordinance 529, an Ordinance approving the vacation of a 25’ unnamed right of way east of US 40.

Fraser River Development Company (FRDC) had requested to vacate the unnnamed right-of-way(ROW) that is located north of the new platted Ski Idlewild Road and adjacent to Roam Filing 1, Parcel A. The right-of-way is approximately 1,973 sqft. and does not include any existing improvements or utilities. The small piece of ROW is no longer required for access or circulation, since Ski Idlewild Road is being extended to provide automobile and pedestrian connectivity and will be dedicated to the Town of Winter Park.

The ROW was originally dedicated to Grand County in 1937 and became part of the Town in 1978 when it was incorporated. That portion of ROW has never been used for access or utilities since original dedication.

Section 8-1-5 of the Town Code outlines the methods and procedures to vacate a street in the Town of Winter Park. The code requires a Public Hearing before the Planning Commission and Town Council. If the street vacation is approved, the Council must adopt and record an ordinance noting such vacation.

A Public Notice was sent to local utility companies providing notification of the meeting and requesting comments. As FRDC is the only property owner adjacent to this portion of street, no notice was sent to adjacent property owners. Mountain Parks Electric and Xcel Energy expressed no concerns with the vacation of the ROW.

The first reading was unanimously approved. The second reading is set for the next meeting on January 21.

Improvements at Cooper Creek Way Transit Center

Town Manager Keith Riesberg presented Resolution 1745, a Resolution approving a contract for improvements at the Cooper Creek Way Transit Center to council. 

In October, 2018 the Town of Winter Park entered into agreements with WP3, LLC for the development of the Cooper Creek Transit Center (Project). Ancillary to the agreements for the development of the Cooper Creek Transit Center, the Town awarded contracts for the construction of sidewalk and roadway improvements in Cooper Creek Way. During the construction of these improvements, it was determined to be in the Town’s long-term interest to amend the scope of construction for the sidewalk improvements to install a snow melt system. The installation of a snow melt system ensures the sidewalk does not become a slip hazard to the visitors to the Project. To accommodate this change in the scope, the construction of the sidewalk, snowmelt system and the finishing of the Cooper Creek Transit Center space is being awarded to JT Kopp Construction. As the contractor constructing the majority of the improvements within this space, having JT Kopp Construction complete the revised scope is the most economical and efficient means of completing this construction.

The proposed construction contract will complete the following improvements:

  1. Complete the construction of the sidewalk and concrete drive pad to the bike wash/dumpster enclosure area for the Project. The improvements to be constructed will include the installation of materials and systems required for the installation of a snow melt system.
  2. Complete the installation of the relocated fire pit, including the installation of gas lines and pavers required to accommodate the Project.
  3. Construction of walls to accommodate the boiler for the snow melt system, including the installation of conduit, gas lines, electrical lines and other materials required for the installation of the snow melt system.
  4. Finishing of the drywall and painting of the interior space within the Transit Center, including the installation of fixtures and other work to complete the construction according to plans.

Riesberg told council the contract reflects an April 1 date of completion, but the goal is to complete the project by the end of February to accommodate spring break visitors. He added the contract is a “not to exceed” amount of $155K. Any savings would be returned to the town. Council approved Resolution 1745 unanimously.

Installation of Snow Melt System

Town Manager Riesberg next presented Resolution 1746, a Resolution approving a contract for the installation of a Snow Melt System at the Cooper Creek Way Transit Center.

Ancillary to the agreements for the development of the Cooper Creek Transit Center, the Town awarded contracts for the construction of sidewalk and roadway improvements in Cooper Creek Way. During the construction of these improvements, it was determined to be in the Town’s long-term interest to amend the scope of construction for the sidewalk improvements to install a snow melt system. The installation of a snow melt system ensures the sidewalk does not become a slip hazard to the visitors to the Project. Tolin Mechanical will install the boiler, pumps, tubing and other mechanical systems required for the operation of the snow melt system. The work being performed by Tolin Mechanical is being coordinated with the construction work being performed by JT Kopp Construction.

The proposed contract will provide for the provision of the boiler systems, pumps, tubing and other mechanical systems required for the snow melt system. Tolin Mechanical is the Town’s contractor for the maintenance of the existing snow melt system within the public spaces at Cooper Creek. Tolin Mechanical is also the contractor working on the private improvements being constructed at this location. Because of this, Tolin Mechanical is being engaged to complete the installation of the new snow melt system.

The contract is also a “not to exceed” amount of $145K, with any savings being returned to the town. Council approved Resolution 1746 unanimously.

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Resident Survey

Town Manager Riesberg told council they would soon be launching a resident survey similar to the survey the Town of Fraser recently put out, to ascertain resident’s interest in allowing use of OHV’s on town roads. Riesberg stated he anticipates discussion of results at the February 4 workshop and potentially drafting an Ordinance. 

Winter Park 101

The Town will host the first of two informational sessions on Wednesday night, January 8 at The Perk and January 15 at Winter Park Town Hall at 5:30 pm. Residents interested in learning more about how town government operates and running for a council seat are encouraged to attend.

To learn more, visit wpgov.com.